Espanyol vs Osasuna Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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This is a game that pits two of the surprisingly ambitious sides in Spain’s top-flight against each other as Espanyol take on Osasuna at the RCDE Stadium this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Osasuna may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Espanyol preview: Solid start
Having collapsed in the second-half of last season, former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez has managed to enhance his reputation by keeping the Catalans up against the odds, and they have started the season steadily.
Following their Alan Pace-led takeover, and subsequent relationship with Burnley, Espanyol have started the campaign with a victory over Atletico Madrid in Catalonia, before an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Basque Country against Real Sociedad.
Osasuna preview: Entertaining Osasuna
Over the summer, former Huesca boss Alessio Lisci has been given the Osasuna job and the Italian is seeking to implement an attacking and entertaining style of football at El Sadar in Pamplona, with the visitors having started the season well.
On the opening day of the season at the Bernabeu, Osasuna suffered a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid due to a Kylian Mbappe penalty, before they then managed to edge past Valencia by a goal to nil, courtesy of an early match winner scored by Ante Budimir.
Espanyol team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Espanyol to deal with this weekend, and so the Catalans will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Marc Angel Rubio, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pol Lozano, Edu Exposito; Dolan, Pere Milla, Javi Puado; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Javi Hernandez (Injured)
Questionable:
Osasuna team news: Abel Bretones suspended
Abel Bretones was harshly sent off against Real Madrid on the opening day of the season, and the left-back is still now missing through suspension for Alessio Lisci.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Sergio Herrera; Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, Juan Cruz; Rosier, Lucas Torro, Jon Moncayola, Juan Herrando; Victor Munoz, Aimar Oroz; Budimir
Unavailable: Abel Bretones (Suspended), Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable: Moi Gomez (Injured)
Espanyol vs Osasuna prediction
Espanyol come into this one on the back of a solid start to the campaign and there will be a belief that the Catalans can majorly improve in the coming seasons, with their new investment. Osasuna look set to be one of the more entertaining teams to watch this year, despite their two matches consisting of just two goals thus far, and a fairly fun watch for the neutral would appear a good bet.
Espanyol vs Osasuna tip: Both teams to score
